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The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority has announced it will defer the implementation of a new requirement under which private health insurers would report data related to the range of reforms announced in 2017.

Alastair Furnival is a principal at the economic consulting practice, Evaluate. In a special comment, Mr Furnival discusses the added complexity of making and assessing economic choices in response to a pandemic.

Health minister Greg Hunt says he has personally acted to secure supplies of a drug currently being trialled for the treatment of symptoms associated COVID-19.

Health insurers have confirmed the decision to defer this year's 1 April premium increase following an announcement by Private Healthcare Australia on Sunday.

Health minister Greg Hunt is expected to extend the emergency 'continued dispensing' arrangements, one country blocked Australia's attempt to export purchased health equipment, investors have backed health companies, while a new alliance of Victorian-based organisations has been established to support cancer treatment.

Health minister Greg Hunt has intervened to ensure the viability of private hospitals after the shutdown of elective surgery.

Private Healthcare Australia chief executive Dr Rachel David has announced the association's member health funds will postpone the 1 April premium increase for at least six months.

The Commission has been established to help coordinate the national response to the pandemic including the re-purposing and redeployment of Australia's economic and social infrastructure.

Health minister Greg Hunt and the private health insurers have already acknowledged discussions have been ongoing regarding the average 2.9 per cent increase that was approved last year.

The ACCC has issued an authorisation allowing the medical technology sector to work together to coordinate the supply and potential manufacture in Australia of ventilators, testing kits, personal protective equipment and other medical equipment needed to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Australia’s private hospitals are ready and willing to assist public hospitals by taking on some of the elective surgery caseload as COVID-19 starts to impact Australia’s health care system, says APHA CEO Michael Roff.

Private Health insurers are making adjustments in response to COVID-19 and new restrictions on gatherings and businesses, while nib has withdrawn its guidance for the financial year 2020.